Broadway End-to-End

I was trading some messages with Nicolette Brennan from the City of Cape about a picture of Broadway for a project she’s working on. That got me to thinking about how many Broadway stories I’ve done. I’ve documented the street from the river’s edge to the old Colonial Tavern on the west end. Click on the photos to make them larger and click on the links to go to the original story.

The family felt that the tract hadn’t been improved in the past 10 years, so they filed a suit to reclaim the land. A granite marker with the name “Doggett Park” next to the Masonic Temple parking lot is all that remains of the park.

Crash at Broadway and Fountain

Sometimes what you think is going to be an inconsequential story resonates with readers. Fred Kaefpfer, who was directing traffic at this crash at the corner of Broadway and Fountain, turned out to be Cape’s singing policeman. It became one of the most-commented stories of the early blog. The Idan-Ha Hotel shows up in the background of the photo.

Bob’s Shoe Service

Bob Fuller’sBob’s Shoe Service was where I stocked up on Red Wing boots, the ideal footwear for a photographer. They’d shine up acceptably for formal wear (at least as formal as I ever got), but you could wade water and walk on fire with no worries.

Broadway Theater is still impressive

I managed to talk my way into the Broadway Theateron a cold December day. It still has the feel of the premier theater of the city.

What’s going to happen to the Esquire?

When I did this story in October 2011, it looked like the Esquire Theater was going to get new life. A new owner had an ambitious plan to renovate it. The latest stories in The Missourian make it sound like the project is unraveling.

Vandeven’s Merchantile

Howard’s Athletic Goods and a handful of other businesses have moved into the building at the corner of Broadway and Pacific over the years, but it’ll always be Vandeven’s Merchantile to me.

It dawns on me that I have even more photographs along Broadway – way too many to inflict on you in one shot. I’ll hold off putting up the rest of them until another day. Don’t forget to click on the links to see the original stories.

Ken, was there a restaurant at the west end of Broadway named The Green Parrot…..about katty-corner from The Colonial Tavern? My Grandmother Vandivort had a few family dinners in that restaurant during our Christmas family reunions in the 50’s. (There was a Green Parrot Restaurant in St. Louis that I grew up with so I may be confusing the names.) I do remember hearing my Grandfather Vandivort (Clyde) say “There are only two decent restaurants in this town – The Tavern and the “Parrot”…if that is the correct name.

I did not see much of my Dad when I lived in Cape and he lived in central Illinois. But I vividly remember him coming to visit once and he took me to the Colonial to eat. First time I remember ever being in a restaurant and being there along with his visit seared a pleasant memory in my mind. Thanks for the reminder. Been a long time since I have thought about it. The only other place I remember ever eating out was Wimpys.

I think the restaurant Harriet was referring to may have been the ElDorado. Ken didn’t you do a story on it too….the building housed a motorcycle shop in the sixties. Yes there wa s a Spanish Door in the 800 block of Broadwy across from what was the old Kroger Store.
So many memories “On Broadway”

Ken,
Do you have any pictures of 315 Broadway, between the Missourian and the Post Office? Also, Dee Vandeven was a great guy that took me rabbit hunting and fishing when we lived on Pacific right behind his grocery.

Sorry, then. That was a little before I was running around Cape with a camera. I was taking pictures a Kodak Tourist II folding camera that Dad gave me, but I wasn’t doing things like shooting Broadway yet.

Check with Sharon Sanders at The Missourian. I’m sure she has photos of it. You might also search Fred Lynch’s blog in The Missourian.

It as the Alvardo restaurant, a somewhat “upscale” restaurant im competition with the Colonial Tavern. The Alvardo also started a curb service to compete with Pfister’s Drive-in. I was a curb-hop at the Alvardo; and later at Pfister’s.

My buddy Patty Mason Turner’s mom Kathy worked nights at the Colonial as a waitress when we were in High School, Class of 68. When I visit Cape, I still see the old Colonial in my mind at that intersection.

@ Tim Luckett, Yes there was a bar on the 700 block of Broadway named The Spanish Door. It was a few doors west of the old Smitty’s Tavern, next to an appliance store. It had bright red doors. After the Spanish door it became Uncle Charlies. Just about across the street where the Dollar General Store sits now. Your memory serves you correctly!

I’m looking for pictures of the old pool hall Pla-Mor which was next to Wayne’s Grill, Vandeven’s Grocery store on the corner of Pacific & Broadway, & Walther’s Furniture store at 502 Broadway. Can you offer any help or send me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Andy Auer

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Cape Central High Photos

Ken Steinhoff, Cape Girardeau Central High School Class of 1965, was a photographer for The Tiger and The Girardot, and was on the staff of The Capaha Arrow and The Sagamore at Southeast Missouri State University. He worked as a photographer / reporter (among other things) at The Jackson Pioneer and The Southeast Missourian.

He transferred to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, his junior year, and served as photo editor of The Ohio University Post. He was also chief photographer of The Athens Messenger.

He was chief photographer of the Gastonia (NC) Gazette for a long 18 months until he could escape to The Palm Beach Post, where he served as a staff photographer, director of photography, editorial operations manager and telecommunications manager. He accepted a buyout in 2008, after 35 years at the paper.

Most of the stories are about growing up in a small Midwestern town on the Mississippi River, but there’s no telling what you might run into.

Please comment on the articles when you see I have left out a bit of history, forgotten a name or when your memory of a circumstance conflicts with mine.

(My mother said her stories improved after all the folks who could contradict died off.)

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